Archive · 16 Sep 2026
House Weighs Russia Sanctions Bill Naming India for Tariffs
US lawmakers are deciding whether to approve a bill aimed at punishing Russia.
The bill could let the President place tariffs as high as 100% on countries that buy Russian oil and gas.
India and China are among the countries mentioned in a proposed amendment.
Being named would not automatically mean India gets a 100% tariff.
The President would still need to use the authority provided by the bill.
Another lawmaker wants to remove that tariff authority from the legislation.
The Senate has already approved the bill by a vote of 86-11, but the House must decide what happens next.
Other proposals would target ships helping Russia avoid sanctions, allow temporary waivers and provide loans to Ukraine for defense purchases.
The US House is considering a Russia sanctions bill that could allow tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
A Steny Hoyer amendment would name India, China and eight other countries as potentially eligible for the duties.
The amendment would not itself impose tariffs on India; the President would still have to exercise authority granted by the legislation.
Gregory Meeks has proposed removing Section 113, which grants the President broad authority to impose secondary tariffs on Russia’s trading partners.
The bill passed the Senate 86-11 and also includes measures targeting Russia’s energy sector and shadow fleet, temporary sanctions waivers and up to USD 15 billion in loans for Ukraine.
- Who
- US lawmakers, including Steny Hoyer and Gregory Meeks, are proposing competing amendments; India and nine other countries could be affected.
- What
- The House is considering a Russia sanctions bill that could authorize tariffs of up to 100% on major Russian energy-trading partners.
- When
- The Senate passed the bill on August 7; the House Rules Committee released the amendments on Monday, with four working days reportedly remaining before an early recess.
- Where
- The legislation is being considered by the United States Congress in Washington.
- Why
- US lawmakers say revenue from Russia’s crude-oil trade is helping fund its military operations against Ukraine.
Remove Broad Tariff Authority
Pressure Russia’s Trading Partners
Presidential tariff powers
Remove Broad Tariff Authority
Gregory Meeks and three co-sponsors want to remove Section 113 because they oppose granting the President broad authority to impose secondary tariffs.
Pressure Russia’s Trading Partners
Supporters of the sanctions framework seek to give the President authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian energy.
Naming specific countries
Remove Broad Tariff Authority
The Senate-passed version does not specifically name countries; it refers instead to the five largest importers of oil and gas by volume.
Pressure Russia’s Trading Partners
Steny Hoyer’s amendment would explicitly list India, China and eight other countries as eligible for possible duties.
Sanctions flexibility
Remove Broad Tariff Authority
Meeks has proposed renewable 90-day waivers when suspending sanctions against a foreign person is considered vital to US national security.
Pressure Russia’s Trading Partners
The broader bill seeks stronger pressure on Russia’s leadership, energy sector and vessels involved in evading oil sanctions.
- Bill
- Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
- Senate vote
- 86-11
- Potential tariff
- Up to 100% on eligible purchasers of Russian oil and other energy products
- Countries named in amendment
- China, India, Turkiye, Azerbaijan, Hungary, the Slovak Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic
- Meeks proposal
- Remove Section 113, which grants broad authority for secondary tariffs
- Additional proposals
- Renewable 90-day sanctions waivers and up to USD 15 billion in direct loans for Ukraine’s defense purchases
- Legislative status
- The bill must pass the House before it can be sent to the President for signature
